Abstract
In order to clarify the pathophysiology of choledochocele, we measured the pressure through the endoscope in the cele as well as the orifice zone in three of four patients with choledochocele. The motility of the orifice of the cele was similar to that of the papillary sphincter zone in all of the three cases. In two cases, the motility of the orifice of the cele was similar to that of the papillary sphincter zone in normal subjects, and the pressure in the cele was normal. However, in one case, the very high frequency of motility of the orifice of the cele (spastic movement of the cele) was observed, and the pressure in the cele was high (27 mmHg). These data suggest that in the cases with normal pressure its pathogenesis may mainly depend on congenital factors. And that in the case with elevated pressure probably due to the spastic motility of the orifice, congenital dilatation on the distal end of the common bile duct may grow larger, or congenital local weakness of the wall of the common bile duct may result in dilatation, according with elevation of the pressure in the bile duct.
